Mednesly-
FORGIVENESS (Ps. 130:4; 86).
How soon after David's confession did the Lord grant him for-
giveness? 2 Sam. 12:13; Ps. 51:17.
David's willing acknowledgement of his sin, and his sacrifice of
"a broken and a contrite heart," immediately received the inex-
pressible gift of God's mercy and lovingkindness. In the parable of
the Pharisee and the publican (Luke 18:9-14), the publican, con-
science-stricken and humble, uttered a very short prayer for mercy.
In contrast, the Pharisee made a long prayer "with himself," exalt-
ing his own so-called righteousness, praising himself that he was
not unjust or sin-stained like the publican. (See Rom. 10:3.)
The publican did not have to wait until he reached home before
he was made righteous in God's sight, for he "went down to his
house justified" (Luke 18:14).
What reaction does God's forgiveness arouse in the sinner? Ps.
130:4, 5; 86:5-7, 10, 12-15.
The fear mentioned in Psalm 130:4 is the awe awakened by the
comprehension that a sinless God can pardon so freely. The Father
gave His Son to die in order that whosoever believes in Him might
escape sin's penalty and inherit everlasting life. "Amazing grace!
how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost,
but now am found, was blind, but now I see."
Saved by grace. John Newton never forgot his early life of sin
and his rescue from it. His dying words were: "My memory is
nearly gone, but I remember two things—that I am a great sinner,
and that Jesus Christ is a great Saviour." His epitaph, composed by
himself, hangs in the church where he is buried. It reads: "John
Newton, clerk, once an infidel and libertine; a servant of slaves in
Africa; was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the
faith he had long laboured to destroy."
The prophet Isaiah states that God's ability to forgive and
cleanse demonstrates His glory (Isa. 42:7, 8; 48:10, 11). He stresses
that it was the Lord's nature to be gracious and merciful, and that
the returning sinner is abundantly pardoned (Isa. 55:7).
How can we glorify God's name? Does repeating the same sin
and accepting God's mercy and pardon glorify Him?
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April 22